January 29 DVD roundup

Lots of British TV comes out this week, including the third season of “Downton Abbey.” Warner Bros. is double-dipping again; two big expensive box sets go on sale full of stuff you probably already have.

Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases and Amazon descriptions; snarky commentary is extra; and preview links go to YouTube’s preview pages. And just in case you were wondering, the DVD prices are the listed retail prices. You can get them cheaper if you buy at discount stores or online.

The Awakening
Universal, 108 minutes, R, $26.98
When the death of a child at a boarding school is blamed on a ghost, hoax exposer Florence Cathcart (Rebecca Hall) is certain that science and reason can explain it. But the truth she discovers is more terrifying than she could ever imagine, and soon the ghost hunter becomes the hunted. Also stars Dominic West and Imelda Staunton. DVD extras: deleted scenes, featurettes. BD extras: BD-Live capacity, behind-the-scenes featurette, featurette, interviews.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
Warner Bros., 78 minutes, PG-13
DVD: $19.98
The Dark Knight and new sidekick Robin have reclaimed Gotham City from The Mutants. But Batman’s return has stirred a far worse evil at Arkham Asylum: The Joker. His diabolical scheme seeks to pull the aging Batman down to the darkest levels of insanity. A global catastrophe also races towards Gotham, and with it comes Superman, who has Batman in his sights. Includes three bonus cartoons, digital comic, featurettes. DVD extras: featurettes.

Best of Warner Bros 50 Film Collection
Warner Bros., not rated, 52 episodes, 52 discs, BD: $597.92
50 of Warner Bros. top films, presented in book style premium packaging;. plus two all-new documentaries: Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot and The Warner Bros. Lot Tour. Also includes a limited edition 27 x 40 poster, plus a postcard series of Warner Bros. movie posters designed by legendary Bill Gold.

With the exception of the documentaries, which I’m only mildly interested in, I already have everything I need from this list, either on BD or DVD. And indications are that these releases don’t have anything new. So it’s just a repackage effort. I somehow doubt that WB will be selling too many of these, especially at nearly $600 a pop.

Cherry Tree Lane
Image Entertainment, 77 minutes, not rated, $27.97
A young couple and their son’s safety in their suburban home is changed when a gang invades with savage intent. Now they are learning how cruel strangers can be, and to what lengths they will go to in order to survive. No extras listed..

Citadel
New Video Group, 84 minutes, not rated
DVD: $26.95
BD: $29.95
Tommy Cowley (Aneurin Barnard) is a young father who suffers from extreme agoraphobia since his wife was brutally attacked and murdered by a gang, leaving him to raise his newborn daughter alone. When the same gang targets him and his child, he has to choose between his fear and his parental instincts. To make matters worse, he finds out that the gang may have a supernatural bent. Also stars James Cosmo, Jake Wilson and Wunmi Mosaku. DVD extras: alternate scenes, cast interviews, making-of-featurette.

The Cold Light of Day
Summit Entertainment, 93 minutes, PG-13
DVD: $19.98
BD: $24.99
Henry Cavill (the “Man of Steel” in this summer’s Superman reboot) goes to Spain to visit his family, despite a strained relationship with his father (Bruce Willis). After a minor accident on the family boat, Will swims to shore in order to get medicine. When he gets back, he finds the boat tossed and bloodstains all over; his family is missing. He goes to the police, but they seem to be in on the plot. His father rescues him and reveals that he is actually a CIA agent and that there’s some bad business regarding a stolen briefcase. Also stars Sigourney Weaver. No extras listed..

Die Hard: 25th Anniversary Collection
Fox, 0 minutes, not rated, 5 episodes, 5 discs,
DVD: $59.99
Reissue of all four previous “Die Hard” flicks in anticipation of the newest film, “A Good Day to Die Hard,” coming out February 14.

Die Hard

Die Hard 2: Die Harder

Die Hard with a Vengeance

Live Free or Die Hard

Decoding Die Hard

Modern-Day Hero — Casting, evolution and legacy of John McClane

Along For The Ride — Engaging sidekicks who have teamed up with McClane

Explosive Effects — Role of groundbreaking visual and special effects including some of the biggest explosions on screen

Reinventing The Action Genre — Development of the franchise from concept to character to story

The Right Hero For The Right Time — Appeal and influence of Die Hard films on pop culture

Since the original four-disc set is one of the first BDs I ever bought, I guess I won’t be getting this one. Wouldn’t mind that fifth disc, though.

Downton Abbey: Season 3
PBS, not rated, 4 episodes, 3 discs
DVD: $49.99
BD: $54.99
The Great War is over and a long-awaited engagement is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate. As other great houses are crippled psychologically and financially in the wake of World War I, Robert, Earl of Grantham, sticks to his duty to maintain Downton more firmly than ever. But in this changing landscape nothing is assured, and could it be that even the war-weary Crawleys must fight a new battle to safeguard their beloved Downton? StarsHugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle and Shirley MacLaine. Includes Christmas Special bonus episode “A Journey to the Highlands.” DVD extras: featurettes.

The Duellists
Shout! Factory, 100 minutes, PG, BD debut: $19.97
Two officers (Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel) in Napoleon’s army violently confront each other in a series of duels. The duels begin as a reaction to a minor incident and escalate into a consuming passion that rules the lives of both men for a period of 30 years. Also stars Albert Finney, Edward Fox and Tom Conti. Based on a Joseph Conrad story. First feature for director Ridley Scott was awarded Best Debut at Cannes in 1977. BD extras: cast interviews, commentary, featurette.

Hello I Must Be Going
Oscilloscope Laboratories, 95 minutes, R, $29.99
Melanie Lynskey stars as Amy, a recent divorcee who seeks refuge in the suburban Connecticut home of her parents (Blythe Danner and John Rubinstein). Demoralized and directionless, Amy begins an affair with 19 year old actor Jeremy (Christopher Abbott) that reignites her passion for life and jumpstarts her independence. DVD extras: interviews.

Kyle Kinane: Whiskey Icarus
Comedy Central Rec., 100 minutes, not rated, DVD/CD: $15.98
Stand-up comedian Kyle Kinane contemplates the existence of God, and the true meaning of being delivered an unsliced pizza. Filmed at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Includes the CD of the show, plus his “Comedy Central Presents” special.

The Love Section
Image Entertainment, 100 minutes, not rated, $27.97
Ali (Lawrence Adisa), is a struggling real estate agent and ladies man, until he meets Sandrine (Davetta Sherwood), a single mother. His best friends are happy that Ali is giving up his philandering ways, but Sandrine’s friends are so sure about Ali. Also stars Omar Miller, Brian Hooks, Tangi Miller, Teyanna Taylor, Kelita Smith and Meki Phifer. No extras listed..

Madly Madagascar
Fox, 22 minutes, not rated, $14.98
Alex’s favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day, brings surprises and excitement for the entire gang. Melman plans a big surprise for Gloria, Marty tries to impress a new friend, and everyone wants to get their hands on King Julien’s love potion. No indication that the original cast returned to lend their voices to this production. DVD extras: animated short.

Misfits: Season 2
BBC Home Entertainment, 276 minutes, not rated, $24.98
Kelly, Nathan, Curtis, Alisha, and Simon are five unruly teenagers stuck in community service, with nothing to show for it but orange jumpsuits and strange superpowers. In the second season of this BBC series, the gang learns that they weren’t the only ones affected by the mysterious storm – they are in fact surrounded by super-charged townspeople who are weirder and wilder than they ever imagined. And if that isn’t enough, there is that masked, hooded figure watching them from afar, who seems to know everything about them. Is he a superhero? A villain? Is he protecting them? Or is he just another kid in a hoodie? DVD extras: alternate scenes, behind-the-scenes featurette, featurettes.

Naruto Shippuden: Set 13 (ep.154-166)
Viz Media, 300 minutes, not rated, 13 episodes, 3 discs, $44.82
Naruto and his friends successfully decipher the code Jiraiya left behind, but it’s not enough to solve the mystery of Pain. For Naruto, Jiraiya’s passing is more than enough to inspire him to follow Fukasaku to Mount Myoboku, where he begins his training in Sage Jutsu. But will the antsy Naruto ever be able to sit still long enough to achieve Sage Mode? Back in the Leaf Village, disaster strikes when the Six Paths of Pain attack the village, and those dearest to Naruto are thrown into the chaos of battle. No extras listed.

Paranormal Activity 4: Unrated Edition
Paramount, 88 minutes, not rated, $29.99
When Katie (Katie Featherston) disappeared with her nephew Hunter (William Juan Prieto), there were no survivors. Five years later she’s returned with a mysterious boy, ready to target new victims with her demonic rage. Now, a family’s young daughter will capture every one of the terrifying occurrences, beginning with her new neighbors’ arrival. No extras listed..

Seven Psychopaths
Sony, 110 minutes, R
DVD: $30.99
BD: $35.99
Marty (Colin Farrell) is a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay “Seven Psychopaths” and all he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Billy (Sam Rockwell) is Marty’s best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary. Hans (Christopher Walken) is Billy’s partner in crime, a religious man with a violent past. Charlie (Woody Harrelson) is the psycho-pathetic gangster whose beloved dog Billy and Hans have just stolen. Charlie is unpredictable, extremely violent and wouldn’t think twice about killing anyone or anything associated with the theft. Marty is going to get all the focus and inspiration he needs, just as long as he lives to tell the tale. DVD extras: featurettes.

Tales of the Night
GKids/Cinedigm, 84 minutes, not rated, 6 episodes, $29.95
Silhouetted characters are set off against exquisitely detailed Day-Glo backgrounds bursting with color and kaleidoscopic patterns, as the film weaves together six exotic fables each unfolding in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, and even the Land of the Dead. In director Michael Ocelot’s film, history blends with fairytale with enchanted lands full of dragons, shape-shifting werewolves, captive princesses, and enormous talking bees – and each fable ends with its own ironic twist. No extras listed.

To Catch A Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America
Shout! Factory, 120 minutes, not rated, $19.93
Documentary by Gayle Ferraro follows Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as he brings his unique and revolutionary microfinance program to the US. Witness the birth of Grameen America and the compelling stories of the first women borrowers, from the challenges they face to the successes they achieve as they learn to rise from poverty by starting and growing their own sustainable businesses with the education, support, and non-collateral microloans they receive. DVD extras: live-action short.